Frequent recreational cannabis use and its association with caries and severe tooth loss: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015-2018.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association of frequent recreational cannabis (FRC) use with untreated coronal caries, untreated root surface caries, and severe tooth loss.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data obtained from 5,656 people, aged 18 through 59 years, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 through 2018. FRC use was defined as self-reported use of marijuana or hashish at least once per month for the past 12 months. Log-binomial and logistic regression analyses were conducted before and after controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral factors to examine the association between FRC use and untreated coronal caries, root surface caries, and severe tooth loss.

Results: Compared with non-FRC users, people reporting FRC use had 17% higher probabilities of having untreated coronal caries (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.35), 55% higher odds of having untreated root surface caries (95% CI, 1.21 to 1.99), and 41% higher odds of having severe tooth loss (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.99) after controlling for age, sex, race or ethnicity, nativity, education, family income to poverty ratio, and alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: This study suggests that FRC use is associated with increased coronal caries, root surface caries, and severe tooth loss in the US adult population. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to assess the impact of varying frequencies, quantities, and forms of cannabis use.

Practical implications: Dental care professionals should be aware that FRC use may be associated with caries and tooth loss.